most expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

"most expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe something that is more expensive than other things in a certain category. For example, "The diamond necklace was the most expensive item in the jewelry store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most expensive bra sold: $129.

The New York Times

The most expensive Games ever.

The New Yorker

The most expensive typo ever?

The New Yorker

What's the most expensive?

The Guardian - Tech

Certainly the most expensive.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her most expensive item?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Our most expensive porridge is £7.

Independent

The most expensive one costs $9.90.

The New York Times - Food

Now comes the most expensive childproofing task.

The New York Times

These are the 10 most expensive ballparks.

The New York Times

Liberty, freedom is the most expensive".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing items, clearly define the category in which something is the "most expensive". For example, "the most expensive car" should specify a class of cars.

Common error

Avoid using "most expensive" without specifying what is being compared. Saying "this is the most expensive" is vague; clarify by adding context, such as "this is the most expensive option" or "the most expensive house in the neighborhood".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most expensive" functions as a superlative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it has the highest price compared to others in its category. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, with examples ranging from items like "bras" to broader concepts like "childproofing tasks".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most expensive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used superlative adjective phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to identify the item with the highest cost within a defined category. Analysis of examples from Ludwig indicates that it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, although it is also prevalent in business and general informational sources. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly state the category of comparison to avoid ambiguity. While perfectly acceptable, related phrases like "highest priced" or "costliest" can provide variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highest priced

Replaces "expensive" with "priced" while retaining the superlative degree.

costliest

Uses a different superlative form of "costly" to indicate the highest cost.

priciest

Replaces "expensive" with the informal "pricey" in its superlative form.

top of the line

Indicates the highest quality and often the highest price within a product range.

most valuable

Shifts the focus from price to overall value, implying high cost.

premium

Implies high quality and a correspondingly high price point.

exorbitantly priced

Emphasizes the excessively high cost of something.

unaffordable

Highlights the inability to purchase due to high cost.

high end

Describes products or services that are of very high quality and therefore expensive.

luxury

Refers to items or services associated with great comfort and expense.

FAQs

How can I use "most expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "most expensive" to describe something that costs more than anything else in a particular group or category. For example, "This watch is the "most expensive" item in the store."

What are some alternatives to saying "most expensive"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "highest priced", "costliest", or "priciest".

Is it always clear what "most expensive" refers to?

No, it's important to provide context. For example, instead of saying "It's the "most expensive"", specify "It's the "most expensive model"" or "the "most expensive option available"".

What's the difference between "expensive" and "most expensive"?

"Expensive" describes something with a high price, while "most expensive" indicates the item with the highest price among a group. Using "most expensive" implies a comparison, whereas "expensive" simply states a characteristic.